Special Message
01/04/1803
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
To prevent altogether the entrance of large vessels, a line of blocks across the harbor has been contemplated.
Of the gun boats authorized by the act of December last, it has been thought necessary to build only 103 in the present ...
The care of human life and happiness, not their destruction, is the legitimate responsibility of good government.
The expense as well as the importance of the work renders it a subject proper for the special consideration of Congress.